Will Zuma still be here for Sona?
IT HAS not yet been confirmed whether President Jacob Zuma will deliver the State of the Nation address (Sona) on February 8.
Yesterday, Zuma’s office released his diary – and it included the Sona.
But, at the same time, the ANC confirmed that its top six officials had been instructed to talk to Zuma about his future.
Several national executive committee (NEC) members said at the weekend that Zuma’s early departure from the Union Buildings had been discussed and agreed on by the top brass when they held their first ordinary meeting.
ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule confirmed that Zuma had been discussed at the meeting – but denied that a decision that he should go had been taken.
“We have not arrived at any decision,” he said. “We are just saying there are engagements and discussions which will take place between us and President Jacob Zuma.”
An earlier statement by Magashule on the outcome of the party’s NEC meeting said merely: “The officials, led by (ANC president) Cyril Ramaphosa, will continue their engagement with President Jacob Zuma to ensure effective co-ordination between the ANC and government.”
After being pressed to explain the actual decision of the NEC on Zuma’s future, Magashule said it had been agreed that this must be facilitated by the Top Six.
It was also unclear what the ANC’s top brass will do should Zuma refuse to step down.
Today the head of the commission of inquiry into state capture, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, will brief the media and will field “clarity-seeking questions”.